Morning journal and courier., 1887-09-19

words of the text. Good health was a bless ing incomparably beyond silver and gold, as was illustrated by the case of the cripple at the temple gate, to whom Christ addressed the words of the text and whom Christ made whole. The far outweighing value of godly life was the lesson of the hour. The dis course was full of practical, good instruction and plain illustrations. Present at the ser vice were Messrs. William A. Ives, Wilson Booth and William Whittlesey, past eighty years of age, also the oldest member of the church, Professor H. N. Day, D. D. The Y. P. S. 0. B. society meets this evening and by invitation of the Missionary society the pastor will next Friday evening meet the church and society.
 AT THE FIRST NJ. E. CHURCH.
 Rev. Dr. Chapman at the First N. E. church last evening discoursed on the text from Genesis, 191 He drew mind picture of Lots career and painted vividly the moral enforcing the thought that Christians must place duty and honor and Christ before gold and earthly preferment or property.
 CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
 Rev. Mrs Hanaford preached yesterday forenoon on the subject of worship. After the services she announced the fact that the State convention of Universalists will be held in Norwich during the present week, and that the delegates from that church would be Mir. and Mrs Henry H. Olds, Miss Ellen E. Miles and Mrs. Cecelia Warehouse, with, as alternates, Messrs. Albert I. Puffer and Alfred F. Munson.
 In the evening, Mrs. Hanaford repeated by request, sermon which she preached in the Howe street church, in 1879-(nine years ago) from the text: ''Until the day break and the shadows flee away"
 DOES MODERN CIVILIZATION REPEAL THE
 DIVINE LAwl
 At the St. John street M. B. church last evening the pastor, Rev. I. M. Foster, preached an eloquent and able discourse to large congregation. His subject was: "Does modern civilization repeal the divine law ?' After reading several passages from the scrip- ture bearing on his subject he said: "We live in an age in which many people believe that the words of God, the commandments, have been repealed and become obsolete; that they are no longer common and have gone into disuse; that the times and the ambitions of men require new commandments. The scripture tells us, however, that the word of the Lord abideth forever. Remove his word and his commandments and chaos is upon us.
 We turn to God because we are sure of 8 welcome. His word guides the sinner and his weary, footsore followers. It changeth not. But turn and look at nature on the other hand. Look about you. See the leaves on the trees, which but few days ago were so yellow and fresh; they are now turn ing, and at slight breeze they tremble and fall at your feet. Look at the fields, which but short while ago were swaying in the wind with freshness and luxuriance; they are now golden and yellow. Not only is nature everywhere changing, but we are changing. While some underlying principles abide for ever they are but few. No matter what way we turn when we come to study it change has been wrought, constant revolution is going on. To-day the world is captivated by the word civilization, which after all is but another word for growth.
 Some even say that exact obedience to God puts one behind the times. Ifsuch were true it would prevent the development of a positive character and we would all be at sea. Some would place their faith on one thing and others on another, and chaos would reign supreme. Any man or woman who casts reproach at the commandments ot God and alleges that they are obsolete is simply taking out from under their feet the foundation on which they rest. True, great changes have been wrought in government, and the voice of the people to-day enacts the laws in almost every civilized land the world over. do not speak against civilization. The question is, what effect has all this on truth7 I say that it helps truth. We see clearer, the world has been enlightened. Civilization has wrought more than iron wheels; it has brought enlightenment. be- lieve we are living in diamond day full of golden opportunities. I believe there are just as many grand and noble specimens of humanity in this, the nineteenth century, that believe the infallible word as ever there